SCIENCE -INTRODUCTION
The
word ‘science’ has its root in the
Latin verb scientia, meaning “to know”. In Tamil language, it is ‘அறிவியல்’ (Ariviyal) meaning ‘knowing the truth’. The human mind is
always curious to know and understand different phenomena like the bright
celestial objects in nature, cyclic changes in the seasons, occurrence of
rainbow, etc. The inquisitive mind looks for meaningful patterns and relations
in such phenomena. Today’s modern science and technology is an offshoot of the
understanding of nature. Science is the systematic organization of knowledge
gained through observation, experimentation and logical reasoning. The
knowledge of science dealing with non-living things is physical science (Physics
and Chemistry), and that dealing with living things is biological science
(Botany, Zoology etc.).
Curiosity-driven
observations of natural happenings was the origin of science. The word ‘science’ was coined only in the 19th
century. Natural philosophy was the earlier name given to science, when ancient
civilization knew and practised astronomy, chemistry, human physiology and
agriculture. Oral communication was the mode of conveying knowledge when
writing systems were not yet developed. One of the oldest forerunners of
scientific advancements, from astronomy to medicine, were the Egyptians.
Scientific and mathematical excellence in India dates back to prehistoric human
activity in the Indus Valley Civilization (3300 - 1300 BCE).
The
scientific method is a step-by-step approach in studying natural phenomena and
establishing laws which govern these phenomena. Any scientific method involves
the following general features.
Systematic
observation
i.
Controlled
experimentation
ii.
Qualitative
and quantitative reasoning
iii.
Mathematical
modeling
iv.
Prediction
and verification or falsification of theories
Consider
a metalic rod being heated. When one end of the rod is heated, heat is felt at
the other end. The following questions can be asked on this observation
i.
What
happens within the rod when it is heated?
ii.
How
does the heat reach the other end?
iii.
Is
this effect true for all materials?
iv.
If
heat flows through the material, is it possible to visualize heat?
The
process of finding the answers to these queries is scientific investigation.
The
basic phenomenon of heat is discussed in unit 8.
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